MD5 & SHA256 Hash Generator
Generate secure cryptographic hashes instantly for passwords, files, and data verification
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MD5 Hash
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SHA256 Hash
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Hash Information
Hashes will be generated based on your input. MD5 produces a 128-bit (16-byte) hash value, while SHA256 produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash.
🔒 Security Best Practices
MD5 Security
MD5 is considered cryptographically broken and unsuitable for security purposes due to vulnerability to collision attacks.
SHA256 Strength
SHA256 is part of the SHA-2 family and is currently considered secure for most cryptographic purposes.
Password Hashing
For password storage, use specialized algorithms like bcrypt, Argon2, or PBKDF2 with proper salting.
Data Integrity
Hashes are useful for verifying file integrity and detecting accidental changes or corruption.
Hash Collisions
Different inputs can produce the same hash (collision), though it's extremely unlikely with SHA256.
Performance
SHA256 is slower than MD5 but more secure. Choose based on your security vs performance needs.
📊 Hash Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Output Size | Security | Common Uses | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD5 | 128-bit | Broken | Checksums, non-security | Fast |
| SHA1 | 160-bit | Weak | Legacy systems | Medium |
| SHA256 | 256-bit | Strong | Cryptography, blockchain | Medium |
| SHA512 | 512-bit | Very Strong | High-security applications | Slow |
| Bcrypt | Variable | Very Strong | Password storage | Slow (by design) |
Note: Security ratings are based on current cryptographic standards as of 2023.
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Note: This tool generates hashes for data verification purposes. For password storage, always use specialized password hashing algorithms with proper salting.